Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Murphy - disgraceful treatment of asylum seekers must end

Speaking at the launch of the Law Centre's 'Sanctuary in a Cell' report into
the plight of Asylum Seekers in the Six Counties, Sinn Féin Representative
Conor Murphy said:

" This is an updated version of a report made public three years ago. At
that time it made 33 recommendations. Despite a Sinn Féin motion to the
Assembly which was unanimously passed calling for these recommendations to
be adopted only 1 of the 33 has been accepted by the British Home Office.

" The current British policy regarding those fleeing persecuting in their
own country has been to lock them up as criminals inside Maghaberry prison.
This practice can only be described as internment and has included young
children and pregnant woman. This sort of treatment is unacceptable and must
end.

" The British Home Office need to take note of this report and face up to
this issue. So far attempts by local politicians to meet the British Home
Office to discuss the internment of Asylum Seekers in Maghaberry have been
ignored and they have so far resisted calls to end this disgraceful
practice." ENDS